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26/07/2011 12:15 pm
For those steamboat buffs and buffettes in the Louisville area, don't forget that TONIGHT is the Floyd County Historical Society's meeting, which will include a presentation, by noted riverlorian and calliopist extraordinaire Travis Vasconcelos, about the race between the steamers ROBT. E. LEE and NATCHEZ from New Orleans to St. Louis in 1870.
The free program will be held at 7:00 PM in the lobby of the historic United Gas & Electric Building at 138 East Spring Street in downtown New Albany. A reception will follow.
The "BY THE RIVER'S EDGE" steamboating exhibit (upstairs) will be open. This display will close on July 31st.
WELCOME ABOARD!
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26/07/2011 7:04 pm
Forgot to mention. . .
Further down Spring Street (3 blocks) is the New Albany-Floyd County Public Library, which also has a steamboating exhibit through July 31st. The library's Indiana Room, has a number of framed steamboat and riverfront pictures and paintings on permanent display.
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27/07/2011 1:56 am
BRAVO!
As expected, Travis gave a stellar talk tonight about steamboat racing and the great event in 1870 involving the NATCHEZ and the New Albany built ROBT. E. LEE. A full house greatly enjoyed the program and a nice wine and cheese reception followed. Many attendees/historical society members also enjoyed the steamboat exhibit upstairs.
The group enjoyed the fact that a special guest was in attendance whose family owns the Str. NATCHEZ #9. He was the ONLY one who raised his hand when the question was posed that perhaps the NATCHEZ was the true winner of the great race!
Thank you Travis, and BRAVO!
27/07/2011 3:06 am
the racing NATCHEZes
The IX has a much better racing record than the VI...if she ever races again, I wonder who would be at the keyboard at the finish line??? The 'owner's suite' would be the rooftop!
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27/07/2011 11:45 am
Photo Feature in today's Courier-Journal
There is an article, featuring the exhibit, in today's Courier-Journal. It and a slide show can be accessed at Floyd County | The Courier-Journal | courier-journal.com.
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31/07/2011 10:25 pm
The "Landing Whistle" has blown!
Despite the heat, the steamboating exhibit has enjoyed very good attendance by an appreciative public the past few days -- and we had visitors right up until the 4PM closing time today, the final day of the exhibition. THANKS to ALL who visited the display and to those who attended the engaging talk about the ROBT. E. LEE / NATCHEZ race by Travis Vasconcelos this past week for the Floyd County Historical Society meeting. It's been fun to co-curate and host the exhibit and now it's time to dismantle it and return all the wonderful artifacts to their owners. Already in the works are plans for an even bigger steamboat exhibit to celebrate New Albany's bicentennial in 2013. All of these events, great and small, go a long way in preserving and promoting our river heritage.
The STEAMBOAT A COMIN' display (identical to the one we had in New Albany) will remain open (free of charge) in the Howard Steamboat Museum carriage house until August 31st.